Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 950

The reactions of people in a state of panic are usually quite similar. They might open their mouths slightly, blink their eyes, or perhaps their faces might flush. However, on the Master’s face right now, not a single sign of panic could be found. He was simply staring at Knight Levo with calm eyes. Regardless of what was going on inside, his outward appearance was maintaining perfect composure.

“Did you say impeachment?”

“Yes, I did.”

“And the reason?”

“I will explain that now.” Knight Levo, too, did not waver. His voice was clear, and his demeanor was utterly confident. He looked like a knight from an old storybook who had stepped into reality.

‘He must believe he is completely in the right.’ This was the sense of unease the Master was feeling. Right now, Knight Levo believed he was acting justly. And he had not a single doubt about that fact. So, was the Master wrong? That would be decided from now on, through the Round Table’s system.

“First, you attempted to contact a traitor, which is against the Round Table’s rules. Master, do you have any objections to this?”

“Of course, I do.” The Master took a slight breath. “Is there a rule in the Round Table’s regulations that states one cannot contact a traitor?”

“No, there isn’t. But there is a rule that states a traitor should never be forgiven.”

“Then, it’s a matter of determining whether my contact with the traitor was an act of forgiving him. Of course, the Round Table does not forgive traitors. However, if there is something more important than that, I believe that even a traitor can become a source of information and a subject of contact. Am I wrong?”

“Your explanation is noted.” Knight Levo proceeded with the situation in a cold voice. And seeing that, the Master’s expression darkened slightly. ‘He’s not leaving any room for debate.’ The rebuttal that should have followed did not come. That meant that Knight Levo did not see any reason to argue with the Master. The Master had done such things many times himself. And the underlying meaning of that action was the conviction that ‘everyone has already made their judgment, so there’s no need to argue.’

“Second, the reason. Master, you went to Korea without seeking the Round Table’s consent. Of course, that much is within your authority. However, Master, you are currently demanding support for Korea, which has no real effect.”

Knight Levo’s gaze was fixed on the Master. “I believe all of these actions stem from the Master’s personal feelings. If Knight Wiggins, or rather, Wiggins, who is not a knight, had not been in Korea, would the same actions have occurred? If we consider that, the interpretation of this matter is clear.”

“Knight Levo!” The Master’s face contorted. “Are you now accusing me of moving the Round Table based on my personal feelings?”

“That’s not all.” Knight Levo did not engage with the Master. As if a judge reading out a pre-written verdict, he was declaring it to the other knights, not to the Master.

“This is the most important reason. Currently, Master, your judgment has become clouded.”

“Knight Levo!” The Master’s eyes began to burn.

“It is impossible for one to know that their own intellect has declined. However, objectively speaking, Master, you are no longer the Master who used to lead the Round Table.”

“Knight Levo.” The Master’s eyes began to burn. “I will not take your words as an insult. But if you make such a claim, there must be evidence to back it up, right? If you cannot provide evidence that I can accept, I will consider your actions as a betrayal of the Round Table.”

“The evidence is overflowing. But there is no need to list it all. Because Master, you have already proven it yourself.”

“…Me?”

“Yes.” Knight Levo cleared his throat slightly and continued. “The idea of supporting the Korean Assembly to confront Japan and China is a terrible one.”

“Why is it terrible?”

“Do you think that by supporting Korea, the Round Table can help Korea grow enough to check both China and Japan at the same time?”

“Of course.”

“Master.” Knight Levo shook his head. “Master, you have lost your judgment.”

“This…”

“Korea is certainly growing stronger at a rapid pace. But Japan and China are powerful nations with history and established systems. No matter how fast a new nation grows, it cannot catch up to them.”

“Based on what I have seen with my own eyes, they have enough potential. Even if they cannot overwhelm China and Japan, they can certainly play a role in checking them.”

“Since when has the Master’s arbitrary judgment become the opinion of the Round Table?”

“So, I am now…”

“Master.” Knight Levo’s voice rose to a slightly scolding level. “Do not forget. This is the Round Table. If you wanted to assess the potential of the Assembly and Kang Jin-ho through investigation, you should have used the Round Table’s informants and gathered the opinions of each knight, not just your own eyes.”

The Master closed his mouth. He could not refute this point. The Round Table was such a place, and that was how it had always been.

“And the information that you personally confirmed is also incomprehensible. Balancing between China and Japan is not an easy task even with the Round Table’s full power. And you are saying that you can achieve such a result with just moderate support?”

“That’s what I judged.” The Master’s voice had lost some of its strength. It couldn’t be helped. He could feel it. The gazes of the knights looking at him no longer held any goodwill. If not hostility, there was a cold, calm indifference in most of them. Compared to when Knight Levo first spoke, there was a clear difference in the atmosphere. He needed a defense.

“What is the basis for that judgment? Is it because Wiggins is there?”

“Knight Levo, do not insult me any further. I do not know what you think of me, but since I took the position of Master, I have never once deviated from a neutral position. The reason I highly evaluated the Assembly was not because of Wiggins, but because of Kang Jin-ho.”

“Kang Jin-ho, you say?” Knight Levo’s eyes gleamed. The Master nodded silently.

“Yes. He has a firm will and firm strength. And he already has sufficient achievements. If we support him even a little, I believe he will be more than enough to check China and Japan. Moreover…” The Master’s hand stroked his beard. “We have already received a promise that they will not invade other countries if we provide support. So, there is no reason not to support them.”

The Master’s position was utterly firm. And he thought it was theoretically perfect. But Knight Levo did not seem to think so.

“Master, you don’t even know what you’re saying.” There was a slight hint of mockery at the end of his words. The Master, his face stiffening at the clear nuance, glared at Knight Levo with a rigid expression.

“…What do you mean?”

“Have you forgotten that it is most dangerous for the head of an organization to wield unilateral power?” The Master’s eyes widened.

“Master, you are not seeing yourself objectively right now. You are highly evaluating the abilities of an individual named Kang Jin-ho and supporting him. That is a complete denial of the meaning of the Round Table. Humans cannot be perfect. Humans are swayed by emotions. That is why we need a system.”

Knight Levo drove the point home. “Supporting an organization that can be swayed by one person’s unilateral decision only increases the risk. Right now, Master, you are denying the very meaning of the Round Table. Kang Jin-ho and the Assembly are on the complete opposite side of the Round Table. And yet, you want to support them, Master!” Knight Levo spoke as if growling. “Master, you are no longer the Master of the past.”

“I…”

“Refute it. By all means. This is the Round Table. Everyone has the freedom to refute.” The Master could not open his mouth. It wasn’t because he had no logic. It was because there was no need. The eyes of the knights looking at him already held hostility. What could he say in the face of that clear hostility?

‘A system, huh…’ Now, Wiggins’ words hit home. What Knight Levo was saying now was nothing more than incitement. The Master had judged, with cold reason, not emotion, that supporting Korea would bring the best results for the Round Table. But that judgment was not accepted here. A system based on majority vote. But if the people who make up that system are human, then the system can also be emotional. A perfect system that is not swayed by emotions was impossible from the start.

“…I was only looking at the interests of the Round Table with a cold head.”

“Your rebuttal is noted. We will now vote.” Knight Levo picked up his sword and opened his mouth. “I will now hold a vote on the impeachment of the Master. I, Knight Levo, vote in favor.” Knight Levo’s sword was placed pointing towards the center of the Round Table.

Shing. Shing. The sound of swords being drawn echoed from all around, and swords were placed on the Round Table. Far more than a majority of swords were placed on the Round Table. Seeing that, the Master closed his eyes. ‘It was already decided.’ The excessively fast meeting, and the excessively fast decision. It was too swift and bold to impeach the exalted position of the Master. Such a process could not have occurred unless the decision to impeach the Master had already been agreed upon.

“Since two-thirds have voted in favor, I hereby impeach the Master from this position. And I, Knight Levo, in my position as Prime Knight, order the Master’s detention. The reason for the detention is the suspicion of contacting a traitor and passing on the Round Table’s information to the organization the traitor belongs to.” Thud. Knight Levo gripped the sword placed on the Round Table. And at that moment, everyone else also grabbed their swords and pointed them at the Master.

“Master, resistance is meaningless. Please comply willingly.” The Master slowly opened his closed eyes. “…Knight Levo.”

“Yes, Master. Or… I don’t know what to call you anymore.” Seeing the mocking reaction, the Master murmured lowly. “This decision will bring about the collapse of the Round Table.”

“Do not overestimate yourself, Master. The Round Table is not yours. The end of the arrogant is always miserable.”

“…Do as you wish.” As the Master resigned himself and closed his eyes, Knight Levo gestured with his chin towards the Master. “Take him away.”

“Yes.” The knights who had entered through the door bound the Master. Then, they dragged him out. A quiet silence descended upon the Round Table.

“Now, then…” Breaking the silence, Knight Levo opened his mouth. “Let’s deal with the most important matter first. First, we must fill the vacant position of Master. The election of a new Master!” His voice, full of power, began to fill the Round Table anew.